TRANSANASTOMOTIC FEEDING TUBES IN REPAIR OF ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA

To avoid the need for a gastrostomy and parenteral nutrition during th e 7- to 10-day healing period after esophageal anastomosis, the author s modified their technique for esophageal atresia repair to include pl acement of a transanastomotic feeding tube. A SILASTIC(R) transanastom otic feeding tube and early enteral nutrition was used for 19 of 23 co nsecutively treated patients after repair of esophageal atresia and tr acheoesophageal fistula. One of the 19 patients had recurrent fistula and another had an anastomotic leak. Five patients had significant gas troesophageal reflux (noted on barium esophagram), and four had strict ures that required dilatation. Parenteral nutrition was necessary for only two patients. The authors conclude that transanastomotic feeding tubes and early enteral nutrition are safe and effective, reduce costs , and do not appear to increase the incidence of anastomotic leaks, st rictures, or gastroesophageal reflux. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saund ers Company